Though the sight is not uncommon in modern times, a hot air balloon is a wonder to behold. ​ We have always been fascinated with flight, but the balloon represents a different kind of air travel. ​ In the basket of a hot air balloon, the view passes more slowly, and the mechanics are simple physics. ​ Little wonder that this trend was a national obsession in the 19th century. ​

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Balloons Over Boone

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There were several noteworthy ​balloon ​“events” in and around Boone County during the heyday of ballooning. ​ Professor Harry Gilbert, a balloonist ​with ties to the circus and a flair for marketing, made a surprise stop in Boone County in 1877. ​Gilbert began his ascent from the grounds ​of the then two-year-old Cincinnati Zoological Gardens, and headed in the direction ​that the wind determined. ​

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A hot air balloon ​is a wonder to behold, even if it’s not a new sight. We have always been fascinated ​with flight, but the balloon represents ​a different kind of air travel. ​In the basket ​of a hot air balloon, ​the view passes more slowly, and the mechanics are simple physics. ​ Little wonder ​that this trend was a national obsession in the 19th and early 20th centuries. ​Imagine the wonder these floating crafts would have invoked in residents of a rural community like ours.

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He landed on the Buckner farm, near [[Florence]], and was met by Mr. Garvey, who owned neighboring property. ​ Garvey was given a short ascension in the balloon, in return for a wagon ride back to Cincinnati. The highest altitude on this short jaunt over the river was 6,100 ft.

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There were several noteworthy balloon “events” in and around Boone County during the heyday of ballooning. ​ Professor Harry Gilbert, a balloonist with ties to the circus and a flair for marketing, made a surprise stop in Boone County in 1877. Gilbert began his ascent from the grounds of the then two-year-old Cincinnati Zoological Gardens, and headed in the direction that the wind determined. ​He landed on the Buckner farm, near Florence, and was met by Mr. Garvey, who owned neighboring property. ​ Garvey was given a short ascension in the balloon, in return for a wagon ride back to Cincinnati. The highest altitude ​reached ​on this short jaunt over the river was a reported ​6,100 ft.

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Another balloon adventure occurred in 1880. Two men landed on Henry [[Corbin family|Corbin’s]] farm in [[Union]] ; they had departed Dayton the day prior to the surprise landing. ​ A crowd, numbering about 300 people, soon arrived, having seen the craft in the air making its slow descent. Several people were given a rope-tethered ascension ride, taking them up to 400 feet, and down again before the aeronauts were on their way. [[Walton]] was the intended next stop, but the wind took them to the Howlett farm near [[Big Bone]]. ​ Residents of the area were caught off-guard by the sight. ​ One man took a shot at the balloon, while it was at a very high altitude. ​ Others were flummoxed by its size when it descended, thinking it was “the size of a water bucket,” as it had appeared to them while in flight; its actual dimensions were 24x56 feet. Unexpected as this visit clearly was, people were entranced by the wondrous sight.

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Another balloon adventure occurred in 1880. Two men who had departed Dayton ​the day before, landed on [[Corbin_family|Henry Corbin’s]] farm in [[Union]]. A crowd, numbering about 300 people, soon arrived, having seen the craft in the air making its slow progress toward descent. Several people were given a rope-tethered ascension ride, taking them up to 400 feet, and down again before ​the aeronauts were on their way. ​[[Walton]] was to be the next stop, but the wind took them to the [[Howlett_family|Howlett]] farm near [[Big Bone]]. ​ Residents of the area were caught off-guard by the sight. ​ One man took a shot at the balloon, while it was at a very high altitude. ​Others were flummoxed by its size when it descended, thinking it was “the size of a water bucket,” as it had appeared to them while in flight; its actual dimensions were 24x56 feet.

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In 1914, the “Balloon Goodyear,​” a forerunner to the famous blimp, landed on the [[Dolwick family|Dolwick]] farm in Constance. ​The pilot, ​A.D. Preston, and his assistant were competing in a national elimination race to earn a spot in the international ballooning race for the Gordon Bennett Cup. They had departed St. Louis two days prior, but the balloon had malfunctioned. ​ Preston, an experienced balloon pilot, had won the race in Paris the prior year. ​Fortunately, the little hamlet of [[Constance]] offered ​the Anderson Ferry as more reliable transportation for the men and their deflated ​balloon ​to make their way home.

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=====More Information=====

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=====Related Topics=====

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* [[Articles ​of Interest]]

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In 1914, the “Balloon Goodyear,​” a forerunner to the famous blimp, landed on the [[Dolwick_family|Dolwick]] farm in [[Constance]]. The pilot, A.D. Preston and his assistant were competing in a national elimination race to earn a spot in the international race for the James Bennett Cup. They had departed St. Louis two days prior, but the balloon had malfunctioned. ​ Preston, an experienced balloon pilot, had won the race in Paris the prior year. Fortunately,​ the little hamlet of Constance offered the [[Anderson Ferry]] as more reliable transportation for the men and their deflated balloon to make their way home.

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====Related Websites====

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* Learn more at the [[https://www.fai.org/​sport/​ballooning?​upcoming=1&​f%5B0%5D=fai_event_year%3A2019&​display=list|World Air Sports Federation]] website